Now Commenting On:

Hanley moving up Marlins' home run list

Hanley moving up Marlins' home run list

Email

Print

Hanley Ramirez

By
/
|

MIAMI -- Right now, Hanley Ramirez is in hot pursuit of some major Marlins records.

With his two-run blast on Wednesday night against the Cubs, the Miami third baseman tied Miguel Cabrera for third place on the team's all-time home run list. With 138, Ramirez is closing in on Mike Lowell's 143 for second place.

Dan Uggla holds the club mark with 154.

In time, manager Ozzie Guillen believes Ramirez will go from being the hunter to the hunted.

"This kid is a pure athlete," Guillen said. "In 2009, he was the best hitter in the game. Now, he's getting back there. I don't worry about him breaking records. Who is going to break his records? This kid has got a chance to put up a lot of numbers."

Ramirez has been sizzling hot of late. His crushed shot on Wednesday gave him three straight games with a homer. The club record is four games, set six times, with Giancarlo Stanton doing it last -- Aug. 14-17, 2011.

"I think Hanley wants to be good again," Guillen said. "He wants to be what he was. There was no doubt in my mind, he wants to do it."

In 2009, Ramirez won the National League batting title. When he's at his best, he is capable of producing in a number of ways. He's a career .300-plus hitter, and he has power and speed.

"When he was good, he may have been one of the top hitters I've seen," Guillen said. "Now, he's getting close to being back there."

Does Ramirez compare to Cabrera?

"They are two different types of hitters," Guillen said. "Miggie is on another level. This guy [Ramirez] has a lot of abilities, and he has so much talent."

Guillen notes that Ramirez has more power than he thought.

"Yes. No doubt," Guillen said. "I see the ball jump off this kid's bat. ... When you hear the sound of the ball coming off his bat, it's amazing how the ball travels when he makes contact."